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I have a Garmin 2006C with the GSD20 along with a thruhull transducer that has depth only. Before I installed the GSD 20 I was getting a water temp reading interfaced from my Furuno fishfinder. Since I installed the GSD20 the temp reading dissappeared. If I unplug the GSD20 from the 2006C the temp comes back if I turn the 2006C off and back on. It appears that the GSD20 is overiding the interface from the Furuno fishfinder (FCV667). In hindsight I wish I would have purchased the thruhull with the temp readout but hindsight is the key word here. I have tried switching ports etc. and talked to Garmin tech support with no positive results. So far the only solution I have come up with is to put a switch in the GSD20 (orange wire). One of my questions is does it matter if I switch it to ground which would mean installing a new switch somewhere, or switch it to an existing switch which is a positive feeding a courtesy light on the dash? Or is it possible that there is a solution that I'm overlooking that would make it possible to make everything work without the switch. Sorry for the long post. It wouldn't have been necessary if I didn't have to put my glasses on to see the temp readout on the Furuno fishfinder. Thanks for any help.......Danny
not sure of the interface...but I would guess that the black box is sending a NMEA message on temperature. Your Furuno is also sending the same message. If I'm right, there's not much you can do about the fact that two devices are both sending the same NMEA message.
I don't think the GSD20 has any setup function other than in the unit it's connected to. If it did, Garmin could add a user settable switch.
Therefore, it sounds like you are out of luck on this....however it's an interesting problem for Garmin to think about solving.
If you want to switch the GSD20 off, then put in a switch that just opens the orange wire circuit. Don't connect the orange to ground or anywhere else.
Seems like overkill to me....if you still have the Furuno in the boat, just look there for the temp...and don't use the temp display on the 2006. Of course I don't know why you have two fishfinders on the boat...usually that's not a good idea cause they can interfere with each other. What am I missing?
Danny, your sailing in uncharted waters with this one, and as you already found out, Garmin will probably not have the answer.
If I were you, I would not fool with that Orange lead. I would first try to cut off the 12 volts to the GSD20. That will definitely shut it down. Also, if I recall, there is a selection on the DATA Menu of the 2006 for one of the Ports that specifically states "Garmin Depth Sounder". You don't want to dink with that Port since you want that to function properly when the GSD20 is on. Also, while the GSD20 is on, I am sure the NMEA sentences that deal with DEPTH, Water Temp and water speed are locked in the 2006 to only look at GSD20 input.
Try feeding your Furuno data into the other 2006 port with the GSD20 shut down and see what happens.
it's kind of a crummy option to consider, but furuno does make the rd30 data repeater...accepts nmea input to show depth/temp or other data...probably gonna cost you about 3 bills for it...furuno does have a $25 rebate through the end of june, i believe...i suppose i'd probably choose to put on the glasses...
Garmin also makes a seperate temperature probe. I think it runs about $50. I know - you did not want to spend another $50, but it will solve the problem.
StreamWeaver24 .... I don't think that probe will fit his 2006....it works on the 180/182/185/188/238 series.
The 2006/2010 are looking for NMEA input. The other units I mentioned have a separate "transducer" input for raw signals which are processed in the GPS units themselves. The temp probe is a thermocouple which just varies the resistance and has no electronics. I don't think the 2006 would know what to do with that type of signal.
Garmin's tech support is sending me another transducer with temp and depth. I never expected that from them but was very appreciative. I wonder what Furuno or some of the other big names would have done? Thanks for the help guys......Danny
Generally with many interconnection problems it's always the other parties fault/doing/issue but in this case what Garmin is saying is the problem is ours and this is our fix. Ideally there will be a software fix that patches this problem of theirs.
They have a probe that will work with the GSD 20 - I have one. I don't recall the part # off the top of my head, but it's on the Garmin web site. It plugs straight into the GSD 20 and has a pigtail sticking out to connect the transducer.
Sounds like he got his problem solved anyway. Way to go Garmin. Hope they are equally as helpful with my problem ( and I have no reason to think they will not be!)
Garmin 2006C and GSD20 with Furno Fishfinder 
